May 17 2018

I am honoured to advise you ShelterBox has been nominated for the 2018  Nobel Peace Prize, the winner to be announced in October.  Whatever the result, this is an amazing nomination and we are truly honoured. The nomination reflects the incredible work done by the ShelterBox staff and volunteers around the world, and to those who have supported us, especially the many Rotary Clubs and Rotarians.

The nomination is also an implicit recognition of the partnership between ShelterBox and Rotary International.  Two great organisations combining their efforts to provide disaster aid wherever it may be required across our world.  I am reminded that last year we helped 32,000 households, or 160,000 people, who had lost everything through conflict or natural disaster. We responded to world events 24 times in the year and deployed aid to 20 different countries. Rotary groups around the world helped us provide vulnerable people with emergency shelter and aid in almost all of the countries we have worked in affected by natural disaster.  In 2017, we also surpassed the highest number of days ever deployed in one year. This includes 84 ShelterBox Response Team volunteers who deployed for a total of 1,530 days. That’s an average volunteer deployment of 18 days each.

I never underestimate the impact of the support of Rotary International, Rotary Clubs and individual Rotarian has to ShelterBox in achieving our goal of no family without shelter.

As we continue to pursue our goal, we thank each and every one of you for the support given, and make an impassioned plea for that support to continue into the future.  As individual organisations we can make a difference in the world; as a partnership we can do even more.

Thank you.

Rowley

ROWLEY TOMPSETT  CRLSS  FICDA  JP

Chair

The Rotary Club of Epping is hosting Northern MUNA at EBHS on May 19 and 20 starting at 9.00am. There are 44 teams from 29 schools registered. It will be opened by our Federal MP, John Alexander, and our State MP, Damien Tudehope.

Rotarians and friends from other Clubs are most welcome.

Bruce Jacob. MUNA Chair

• Rural;
• City/Urban; and
• Volunteer.

• Nominations open - 2 May 2018
• Nominations Close - 13 June 2018
• Judging dates - 14 - 27 June 2018
• Announcement of finalists - 4 July 2018
• Awards presentation - 26 Aug 2018

Gosford North Rotary Club has visited Madagascar eight times over the past few years delivering essential aid. They have been involved in a RAWCS approved program that distributes medical equipment, wheelchairs, SewAid, solar lights, blankets as well as setting up many programs including orphanage building, Skyjuice water project, carpentry skills building, school desk building, educational supplies.

On 6th June 2018, we are off again! This time we are taking in 1,112 RAWCS approved solar lights & undertaking a major water project. The people of Madagascar are experiencing the worst drought in many decades. We have raised some $20,000 to purchase materials to fund a two kilometre gravity fed water pipeline from a natural spring in the mountains down into a 'parched' village of 2,200 people.

Can you please help us? We are just $3,500 short of funds necessary to upgrade 12 existing, but damaged water points. We will be able to complete the work with this assistance.

On our return we would be pleased to visit your club with stories & testimonials.

We are so thrilled to be joined on this trip by Mr Howard Sullivan, Hydrogeologist, from Crows Nest Club. Please contact Madagascar project organiser Peter Pearce if you can assist the wonderful yet disadvantaged people of Madagascar. PS If you would love to join us on this trip, applications are open, leaving on 6th June.

Kind regards, YIR,

Peter Pearce OAM    0431 778655        peterpearce48@hotmail.com

Congratulations to PDG Tony Castley on his election to the board of Rotary Down Under (RDU) representing the 9670, 9675, 9685, 9700, 9710 Districts.  Tony brings a wealth of experience in media, marketing, and business.

Tony was 9680 District Governor in 2008-09, is a member of the Rotary E-club of Greater Sydney, was a past and very successful District Foundation Chairman, is Chairman of Sew Group international, is publisher of the “Humanity and Motion” books and so much more.

Together with his wife Sandra, Tony has for many years helped people in poverty throughout Asia via the Sewaid International programme.

Tony has previously worked closely with RDU and we look forward to Tony’s contribution the RDU board.